“I have no reproaches for my team, I am satisfied with the performance, but not with the result, because I think we deserved more,” Zinédine Zidane said after the match.
Zinédine Zidane stood leaning against the wall of the Stade de France player tunnel before kickoff, silent and staring blankly into the distance. It was a heavy return to the venue of his greatest triumph, where he scored twice in the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil to help France claim its first global title. Now tasked with leading the national team into a new cycle following the successful tenure of Didier Deschamps, Zidane faced intense scrutiny as France hosted Italy in the UEFA Nations League.
Shadows of Berlin and a Historic Rivalry
The fixture carried resonance, pitting France against the Squadra Azzurra for the first time under Zidane’s leadership. In the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin, Italy’s Marco Materazzi provoked Zidane, leading to a headbutt against the upper body of the Italian and the end of his playing career.
That psychological backdrop added tension to a match that ultimately ended in a 1–1 draw. French sports daily L’Équipe labeled the result the “first setback of the Zidane era,” though the coach refused to criticize his squad, which played without the injured Kylian Mbappé.
Resurgent Azzurri Under Mancini
Italy’s defensive organization and tactical discipline prevented the hosts from securing a victory. Under returning manager Roberto Mancini—who led the Azzurri to the UEFA Euro 2021 title before the team missed three consecutive World Cups—Italy displayed renewed self-belief.
Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni outlined the squad’s mental shift ahead of the match, noting that the team had moved past self-pity to focus on their collective strengths.
Italy Creates Early Chances Against France
Despite territorial dominance from France in the opening half, Italy created the clearer early opportunities. Moise Kean failed to convert past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan in the 9th minute, and young defender Jérémy Jacquet deflected a close-range attempt from Davide Frattesi just wide of the post shortly before halftime.
Olise Breaks the Deadlock
France broke the deadlock in the 55th minute through a set-piece. After Nicolo Fagioli pulled Rayan Cherki’s shirt just outside the penalty area, Michael Olise curled a precise free-kick over the defensive wall and underneath the crossbar, beating Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Bastoni Equalizes Before Upamecano Receives Red Card
Italy responded in the 68th minute following a defensive miscue. Adrien Rabiot played a loose pass toward Lucas Da Cunha, allowing Bastoni to intercept the ball. The defender drove into the penalty area and fired past Maignan to equalize at 1–1.
The visitors nearly found a winner late in the fixture as France struggled to close out the match. Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano received a second yellow card and was sent off in the 85th minute following a foul on Kean, leaving the hosts to defend with ten men through the closing stages.
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